One key action to make uncertainty and lockdown easier…

The pandemic creates uncertainty (you could be in lockdown or just unsure what is coming next). We all need a degree of certainty in order to feel calm, have control and to perform at out our best in life.

We cannot control the world stage but we can take action to make our life steadier.

To create more stability and certainty, one of the most powerful things we can do is to build routine. Even if you don’t consider yourself a ‘routine’ person, there are ways to use it to reduce the overload and stress that an uncertain world causes.

We develop routines so that we don’t have to reinvent the wheel everyday; what time to get in the shower, where to leave your keys, how often to do the washing. When everything changes we can get thrown so far out of whack we find it hard to get back online.

For your situation right now think through a plan or schedule for the week. Prioritise the things you want to get done and when you will do them. Remember to include the every day:

• meals, sleep, chores, exercise, breaks

• what specifically needs to be done next in projects you want to do or are working on - your work, painting, course?

• media or social media, nominate a time and length of time (too much tends to feed uncertainty)

• rewards for achieving your goals - acknowledge every step of getting things done.

Once you have a plan, make appointments with the activities you have scheduled. That way you are more likely to show up and keep them.

David Gillespie in his latest book Brain Reset says he and his wife even budgeted their meals in their routine plan and now many years later he still looks forward to Monday curry night.

Try it, it is grounding and will help you get some control and calm back into your day. It will help you focus back on the tasks in front of you and engage with your day more. Explain to those around you that you are prioritising routine to make you calmer and better to be around, in order to build their support.

Please share what things you are doing to cope with so much uncertainty?